Today was school on Saturday. The open house went well I think. We had many junior high school students pass by and whisper by the English class I was in, ha. They have really cute uniforms. Much of our class was missing though so it made our activity a little trickier.

After school all the clubs were open so that the JHS students could see what our school offered. I got to go to the tea ceremony club demonstration. They were set up in the main hall. I went with a math teacher that speaks English and we were first served manjuu, a bun filled with red bean paste. So yummy! The poor student serving us was forced into speaking some words of English, but she managed to say, “Please eat.” The green tea was prepared in front of us. Very cool to see how they first wash the bowl with hot water and wipe the outside down, and then prepare the tea with the whisk. When you receive the tea, you have to turn it twice before drinking. It was quite delicious. I was told sweets come first and then tea.

While leaving the school, I also saw the shoji club (Japanese version of chess) and then stopped at the chemistry club! They were making bouncy balls with vinegar and latex. That was cool. I think they meet on Fridays. I need to ask the teacher in charge if I can occasionally stop by. Need to get my science in!

Some observations: TVs in cars! Almost all the Japanese cars I’ve ridden in, have not only radio but an actual screen playing something. I can’t understand how that’s safe. Students really do clean the schools. Every day after school, they have to clean an assigned area. They even do all the trash sorting for us in the teacher’s room. Copies are made on really cheap paper, it’s almost grey and the ink smears easily. So many teachers eat junk food. All the instant or pre-made meals while the kids have the awesome looking bentos with nice homemade food. I have the prettiest highlighter colors of turquoise, pastel green, purple, and blue. They are also erasable like most of my pens. So much like Europe, why don’t we get the good stuff in the US? Make sure you carry your hand towel to the toilet. Most restrooms don’t have driers or paper towels.